Oil Rinsing can be described as a process whereby oil is applied to the hair during deep conditioning; it ensures that when the conditioner is being rinsed off some oil is still left to hold on to the hair. It is completely different from mixing your deep conditioner with oils because with oil rinsing the oil is applied to the hair itself. It is also not the same as a hot oil treatment because a hot oil treatment is usually done before shampooing however oil rinsing is done during the deep conditioning process. 

Although oil rinsing may not be viewed as an absolutely necessary step it is helpful to anyone with dry hair, hair that is prone to breakage and tangles or for those who just want to give their hair some extra nourishment.


The Advantages of Oil Rinsing are numerous and include:
  • Aiding with moisture retention by ensuring that moisture remains locked into the hair;
  • Allowing the hair to remain supple, smooth and soft by improving its overall texture;
  • Aiding with detangling;
  • Improving the manageability of the hair and giving it a natural shine.

There are basically three ways to oil rinse and I will describe them below:

1. Applying oil to your hair before deep conditioning: After your hair has been washed and towel dried, simply apply some oil to your entire head of hair. You can do so in sections or not depending on the technique you choose to use. Ensure that your hair is properly saturated with oil; about one tablespoon will do. Any oil can be used such as olive oil, sweet almond oil, Wura’s Secret Hair Growth Oil and so on. After oiling the hair, apply your deep conditioner over it (at this point you may detangle your hair in sections with a wide tooth comb), cover hair with a plastic cap with or without external heat and leave on for the required time. Then rinse with cool water.

Another alternative to this method is that after applying the oil you cover your hair with a plastic cap and leave the oil on your hair for about 15 minutes to 1 hour with or without external heat. Rinse off the oil with warm water and then apply your deep conditioner. Cover hair with a plastic cap with or without external heat and leave on for the required time and then rinse the conditioner off with cool water. The former alternative method saves time, they are however both effective.



2. Applying oil to your hair after a deep conditioner: After washing your hair and applying your deep conditioner (at this point you may detangle your hair in sections with a wide tooth comb) as per usual, apply oil over the conditioner. You can use about one table spoon of oil; ensure that the oil covers your whole head of hair adequately. It might be slightly tricky applying the oil over the conditioner but it can be managed. Cover hair with a plastic cap with or without external heat and leave on for the required time and then rinse with cool water.

3. Applying oil before and after a deep conditioner: After your hair has been washed, apply about a table spoon of oil on your hair ensuring that the hair shaft and tips are adequately coated with the oil. Then apply your deep conditioner (at this point you may detangle your hair in sections with a wide tooth comb) and follow up with another table spoon of oil over the conditioner. Cover hair with a plastic cap with or without external heat and leave on for the required time and then rinse with cool water.

You can experiment with a variety of oils until you find a winning combination that works for you; I sometimes use two different oils or only one oil depending on how my hair feels on that particular wash day and what I have available.



I usually oil rinse using the third or second method and I notice an improvement with the texture of my hair after this process is completed. If you oil rinse please share what method you use and its benefits to your hair and if you do not oil rinse will you be willing to try it out?

Thanks for reading and hope this was informative.

TONKABELLE, xoxo



I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will. – Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre